Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
A taste for the unusual
|
Anilkumar was in charge of A. B. Vajpayee's kitchen, during the Prime Minister's Kerala sojourn. The master chef also hosts a cookery show on TV.
|
HE KNOWS exactly what the Prime Minister, A. B. Vajpayee, likes to eat. During the Prime Minister's Kerala visit, V. Anilkumar, who was in-charge of Vajpayee's kitchen, dished out some new recipes, such as the Chicken Travancore.
Anilkumar, corporate chef of Saj Flight Services, is also the host of the popular TV cookery show, `Master Chef'. "Fusion' exists not only in music but also in cooking. It should not, however, end in confusion," he quips.
Born and brought up in Orissa, Anil's interest in cooking made him quit his job at the State Bank and join the Taj Coromandel in 1982. He became the general manager of Saj Lucia, and was later promoted as corporate chef, Saj Flight Services. He has some 300 new dishes to his credit, which include a tender coconut drink called Saj and Mullapoovu (jasmine) sherbet.
During the visit of the West Indies cricket team to Kerala in 1989, Anilkumar met wicket-keeper Jeff Dujon, whose interest in Indian recipes astonished him. Dujon was all praise for Anilkumar.
Anil never lets go of an opportunity to learn something new. Once, on a Pan Am flight, he asked the airhostess for the recipe of Cajun Blackened Fish, which later became one of the hot favourites in his repertoire.
Cooking is not just a profession for Anil. He enjoys it. "One should have the talent. This, along with dedication and hard work, is the recipe for success," he says.
Anil has won many awards for the best theme and décor at food festivals. "The Saj Flight Services has implemented HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) in Kerala regarding health, safety and hygiene," he says. The HACCP ensures hygienic food processingthrough the proper use of masks, gloves and suitable uniform.
Anilkumar doesn't believe that modern food habits harm the body. "Preparation is the key. If done in the right way, new-generation food does not cause damage. Improper use of chemicals such as ajinomoto should be checked."
"These days, people are health conscious. They know what is good for them. Compared with the older generation, the new generation has many health problems. But this is more because of changing lifestyle than food habits," says Anilkumar, who is also a member of IFCA, International Flight Catering Association.
Anilkumar loves travelling. He has travelled to almost every part of the globe, except south-east Asia. Though busy with his work, the master chef finds time to prepare special dishes for his wife, Reshmi, senior guest relations officer at Le-Meridien, Cochin.
Anil plans to bring out a book that contains his recipes and tips on cooking.
He also dreams of opening a restaurant. "In most restaurants, the cook doesn't interact with the customers. At my restaurant, the customers can ask me directly what they want, and I will serve them what they want."
SILVY MAXI MENA
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
|
